Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confessed that the club should have signed more players over the summer.

The Magpies have struggled for form so far this season, with the added fixtures of the Europa League putting extra strain on the club’s squad.

Pardew was rumoured to be close to completing the signings of Lille full-back Mathieu Debuchy and Brazilian defender Douglas, but deals could not be reached.

The St James’ Park outfit secured Vernon Anita, but Pardew admitted that owner Mike Ashley, managing director Derek Llambias, chief scout Graham Carr and himself should have worked harder:

“Myself, Mike and Derek all agree we should have bought one more senior player in here. For whatever reason, it did not happen.” He told the Evening Chronicle

“We have learnt from that, and that is what comes from the luxury which is the security of the owner.

“The owner has great faith in my ability and I have to reward that with what I think when we make an error and say we have made a mistake.

“He accepts that and as a team we have to learn from it. Myself, Graham, Derek and Mike needed another player in and we did not get him.

“But it is not Graham's fault, Derek's fault or Mike's fault or mine - it is a collective thing and we have to take that all on the chin. We got that wrong.”

He went on to suggest that plans are in place to make up for their lack of business in January:

“It is a difficult window, but I think we would like to get - definitely - one player in and not lose anybody.”